Jews & Non-Jews 101

The Ten Commandments begins with the affirmation of the existence of the God of Israel and the prohibition against idolatry.
The case against idolatry is made repeatedly in the Bible, and the rabbis of the Talmud drafted many additional laws to distance Jews from idolatry and idolaters. The Torah also relays a general law against following hukkot ha-goy, the practices of the gentiles, though Jewish legal authorities have interpreted this in a variety of ways.

This was not the case with a non-idolatrous gentile--known as a ger toshav or resident alien. A ger toshav was a non-Jew who lived in the Land of Israel and abided by the seven universal laws, the Noahide commandments. Such a person was considered a member of Israelite society and received the benefits of Israelite charities and social services.

A number of biblical verses assert that God designated the Jews for a unique relationship.

Traditionally, there have been two different ways to understand the nature of Jewish chosenness. According to one view, the relationship between God and the Jews was established by the covenant at Sinai and is dependent upon Jewish obedience; thus Jews are not fundamentally superior to other people. According to the second view, Jewish people have unique, inherent qualities that make them chosen. This position doesn't necessarily posit Jewish supremacy, but it does suggest that Jews as a people have certain advantageous characteristics, which other people lack.